LOSS OF A STEAMER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4978, 30 May 1903, Page 5

LOSS OF A STEAMER.

CABLE NEWS. SITED PKESS ASSOCIATION. —BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—

A COLLIER FOUNDERS ON THE AUSTRALIAN COAST. "Sydney, May 29. The steamer Oakland foundered off Cabbage Tree Island whew trying to ter Port Stephens at 4 o’clock on Wednesday morning. A terrific sea was running. The crew took to tho boats. Two captain and ongneer died from exposure m one of the boats.

Tho following were lost:—Captain Slater, the first mate, first and second engineers, cook, steward, a boy, and throe firemen.

Following are tho names of the saved ; —Air Gaites, a passenger; Air Homes, second mate; Isterson, Jacobson, Ohlson, Holm and Wylborg, seamen. Tho Oakland left Newcastle on Tuesday for Richmond river, with a cargo of coal.

Tho captain of the Bellinger, which picked up tho boat containing the survivors, states that the sea was too heavy *to allow him to enter Port Stephens, and he decided to shelter at Long Island. He then sighted tho boat with tho seven men on board. Ho had previously sighted ■wreckage, and kept a good look-out. He got close to tho boat and rescued the men, who were all exhausted.

[The Oakland was a steel screw steamer, 154 ft in length, 24ft breadth, and 10ft deep, and was owned by the North Coast Steam Navigation Company, Sydney. Tho vessel was built in 1890 by Alessrs Alnrray Bros., of Dumbarton. The Oakland had a well deck. Her tonnage was 398 tons gross and 228 tons nett. The steamer Bellinger belongs to tho Allen Taylor and Company line, and trades between Sydney and Camden Haven, on the New South Wales coast.] LIST OF THOSE DROWNED. (Received Alay 29. 10.2 p.m.) SYDNEY Alay 29. Tho following is a list of those drowned in the wreck of the Oakland; —Captain Slater ; Air .C. Lindgron, chief mate: Mr A. Fischer, first engineer ; Mr R. Steel, second engineer; H. R. Bradberry, cook; A. Cargill, steward’s boy; A. E. Brooks, G. Wilcox and T. Hadden, firemen; A. Mattson and J. Johnson, seamen.

STATEAIENTS OF THE SURVIVORS. TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS IN THE LIFEBOAT. (Received Alay 30, 1.10 a.m.) SIDNEY, Alay 29. Details of tho foundering of the Oakland are incomplete. According to the statements of the survivors, as soon as tho Oakland steamed out of Newcastle harbour tho sea commenced breaking over her bulwarks and flooding tho well decks. Soon after the Port Stephens light had been passed tho vessel took a list to port. Gradually the list became worse, and the captain decided to make lor Port Stephens, and ran before the sea. In trying to enter the port, the vessel had such a heavy list that she would not steer, and was at tho mcroy of the waves.

After beating for some time she took a sudden plunge, and sank head first in seventeen fathoms or .water.

Before tho catastrophe a lifeboat was with great difficulty got over the side. Tho violence of the sea knocked a couple of holes in tho, boat’s side. ->V!■ this time tho crew was able to walk on tho upturned side of the steamer, the funnel just touching the water. All hands got into tho lifeboat, which capsized upon touching the water, by which time the steamer had sunk.

All were thrown out of the boat. Some succeeded in getting back, but the- chief officer, three firemen and seamen were drowned.

The watertight compartments kept the boat afloat, and she was righted. The second engineer swam round the lifeboat, and secured the oars. Some of the’ survivors then got in, and tried to propiel The boat, the others hanging on, the life-lines, but the attempt was hopeless, as the rowlocks were under Water. Bailing was ilseless.

The wind and water were icy cold, and the sea rough, conditions which had their effect.

The first to succumb was Bradberry. His body was thrown overboard so as to relieve the weight. A few minutes afterwards the chief engineer and the cabin boy breathed their laat.

The condition of Captain Slater, who was clinging to the Hfe-line, was very serious. He was lifted into the boat, and for a couple, of hours his supplications for his wife were piteous. His mind was apparently unhinged. At last death relieved bis terrible sufferings.